Meaning & use
qualify
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Meanings
verbintransitive
To reach the standard needed to do something or to be allowed to take part.
Grammar: No object; often followed by for or as: qualify for a loan.
Patterns
- qualify for something
- qualify as something
- qualify to do something
She qualified for the final after winning her heat.
You need two years of experience to qualify for this job.
He qualified as a doctor last year.
verbtransitive
To make someone able or entitled to do or receive something.
Grammar: Takes an object: The course qualifies you to teach.
Patterns
- qualify someone for something
- qualify someone to do something
This certificate qualifies you to work in childcare.
A high income qualifies them for a larger mortgage.
verbtransitiveformal
To add a limit or condition to a statement, making it less absolute.
Grammar: Often used in formal or academic writing: qualify a claim.
Patterns
- qualify a statement
- qualify an opinion
Let me qualify that remark: I only mean in this case.
The report qualifies its conclusion with several caveats.
Word forms
| third person singular | qualifies |
|---|---|
| past tense | qualified |
| past participle | qualified |
| -ing form | qualifying |
Common combinations
- qualify for
- She hopes to qualify for the scholarship.
- qualify as
- He qualified as an engineer in 2019.
- highly qualified
- The team is highly qualified for this project.
- qualify a statement
- The minister qualified his statement after the interview.
Synonyms and how they differ
- meet
- Focuses on satisfying a requirement; qualify often adds the idea of being officially allowed.
- entitle
- Means to give a right; qualify can mean to become entitled by meeting standards.
Opposites
Word family
- qualification noun
- An exam pass or skill that makes you suitable for something.
- qualified adjective
- Having the necessary training or official permission.
- qualifier noun
- A match or test that decides who goes on to the main competition.
Commonly confused: qualify or quantify?
qualify vs quantify
Means to measure or express as a number; qualify is about meeting standards.
Practice
Choose the correct preposition: She qualified ______ a lawyer after five years of study.
Choose one answer.
"Qualify as" is used before a profession or role. "Qualify for" is used before a benefit, place, or event, so it does not fit here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “qualify”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.